How to Go to the Doctor in South Korea as an English Teacher: A Guide to Healthcare and Health Insurance

As an English teacher in South Korea, maintaining good health is essential while living abroad. Navigating the healthcare system can seem daunting and stressful at first, especially if you can’t speak or understand Korean. However, South Korea offers one of the best healthcare systems in the world, with advanced medical technology and relatively low-cost services. As someone who has a bit of hospital trauma (Thanks USA), I feel it is my duty to guide you through the Korean healthcare system. 

Understanding South Korea’s Healthcare System

South Korea’s healthcare system is a combination of public and private services, and it is held in high regard mainly for its efficiency and top of the line medical technology. The country offers both public health insurance and private insurance, with the majority of people covered under the public system (including me).

The National Health Insurance (NHIS) system is available to all residents, including foreign workers such as English teachers. Enrollment in NHIS is mandatory, and every worker, including foreign nationals employed in South Korea, must enroll in this system within 6 months of their arrival in South Korea. The coverage provided by NHIS is extensive, and typically covers most health concerns. 

What is covered?

• General doctor visits: Most basic consultations with general practitioners (GPs) or family doctors are covered.
• Specialist visits: Seeing a specialist, such as a dermatologist or orthopedist, is also covered, but the costs will be higher than a GP visit.
• Hospital stays: Coverage for hospital stays is available, but again, the costs may vary depending on the type of treatment.
• Prescription medications: A substantial portion of the cost of prescription medications is covered by NHIS.
• Preventive care: Routine check-ups, vaccinations, and screenings are generally covered as well.

While NHIS covers a broad range of medical needs, there may still be out-of-pocket expenses for certain treatments, medications, and private healthcare services.

How Health Insurance Works for Foreign Workers

As an English teacher in South Korea, you will automatically be enrolled in NHIS through your employer. Employers are required by law to contribute half of the insurance premium, while the employee is responsible for the other half. 

This amount is typically deducted directly from your monthly salary, and they are calculated based on your income. For me, during my first year in South Korea, I was making around 2,200,000 KRW so I was being deducted about 75,000 KRW a month for my health insurance. As I made more money, more was deducted. Currently I make 3,200,000 KRW a month so I get about 115,000 KRW deducted every month. The total amount is relatively low compared to premium rates in Western countries, and it provides comprehensive coverage for most health-related expenses.

NHIS Contribution Breakdown:

• The insurance contribution rate is approximately 7% of your salary.
• Half of this (around 3.5%) is paid by your employer, while the other half is deducted from your paycheck.

For example, if you earn 2 million KRW per month, your total monthly contribution to the health insurance would be 140,000 KRW (7% of your salary), of which you would pay 70,000 KRW, and your employer would pay the remaining 70,000 KRW.

CIEE participants will also be enrolled in iNext Insurance, which is a second layer of insurance for unexpected travel-related costs and emergencies. I have personally used the iNext insurance back in 2021 when I got COVID after being in Korea for just a couple of days. After contacting CIEE, iNext was able to cover the costs for my hospital stay, quarantine facility, and treatment. Thankfully, I only ever had to use them once, but I was grateful to have iNext in my corner as well. 

Visiting the Doctor in South Korea

Visiting a doctor is super easy in South Korea. Typically there are several types of clinics and hospitals in one neighborhood alone. 

Here's how the process typically works:

Step 1: Find a Clinic or Hospital

South Korea has a wide variety of healthcare facilities, ranging from small local clinics to large, specialized hospitals. For minor illnesses or general check-ups, a local clinic (often called an "internal medicine" clinic) is the most common option. Clinics are easy to find, and many offer services in English, especially in larger cities like Seoul or Busan.

If you have a more serious condition or need specialized treatment, you may need to visit a larger hospital, which can offer a wider range of services and specialists.

Step 2: Make an Appointment (or Walk-In)

In most cases, you can simply walk into a clinic or hospital without an appointment. However, some clinics and larger hospitals may require you to schedule an appointment in advance, especially if you need to see a specialist. If you don’t speak Korean, it’s a good idea to call ahead and check whether English-speaking staff is available. Most doctors speak English, but their nursing staff might not. 

However, many major hospitals and clinics in South Korea have bilingual staff who can assist you. You could also have your Korean co-teacher accompany you to the doctor to help with translating. Once you arrive at the clinic or hospital, there is usually a box where you will take a number. Just have a seat in the waiting area and wait to be called up. 

Step 3: Register and Fill Out Forms

Once you arrive at the clinic or hospital, you’ll need to register your details. Some facilities may ask for your Alien Registration Card (ARC), which is your official identification in South Korea. With your ARC, the staff member checking you will be able to verify that you are enrolled in the national healthcare system. 

If it is your first time visiting that clinic, you’ll also be asked to fill out a brief medical form, which can sometimes be provided in English. If you're unsure about anything, the staff should be able to assist you. Once you are finished filling out the forms, you will be asked to sit in the waiting area until your name is called. 

Be sure to keep an eye out on the board for your name or listen carefully. They will most likely call your last name or middle name (if you have one) rather than your first name for some reason. 

Step 4: Consultation

During the consultation, the doctor will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and other relevant information. In South Korea, medical professionals are known for being efficient, so it may feel like the visit itself is very short. However, if you need to see a specialist or if you are getting a standard physical done, the process might take a bit longer. 

Doctors will typically prescribe medications or suggest treatments, which are often available at the clinic or hospital pharmacy nearby. The pharmacies are usually in the same building at the clinic or across the street from the clinic.  

Step 5: Payment

After your consultation, you will be required to pay your bill. This is where your health insurance comes into play. In South Korea, you’ll typically pay about 20-30% of the total cost of your visit, depending on your condition and the type of treatment you received.

For example:

• A basic doctor’s consultation at a clinic might cost around 10,000-20,000 KRW after insurance coverage.
• A visit to a specialist or a more complicated treatment may be more expensive, but the NHIS coverage will still help to reduce the overall cost. When I got COVID, I received an IV treatment and got a prescription. The total cost ended up being around 25,000 KRW for both treatments combined. 

You will usually pay the bill to a receptionist (usually located in the same area as the check-in desk). This is where you will also be able to get your prescription printed out and the receptionist will most likely give you directions to the pharmacy. 

Step 6: Prescription Medication

If the doctor prescribes medication, you can typically fill your prescription at the same hospital or clinic pharmacy. Some medications might also be available at local pharmacies. NHIS covers most prescription drugs, but you will still need to pay a small portion of the cost, depending on the medication. I recently got the flu and I was given 4 different types of pills: 1 antibiotic, 1 fever reducer, 1 cough suppressant, and 1 stomach pill to help with any nausea or stomach pains from the medications. The total cost came out to about 8,000 KRW. 

One of the cool things about Korean pharmacies is that they will package up the dosages in individual small baggies that are labeled for which time of the day and which day you should take them. That makes it easy to keep up with what needs to be taken and which time. 

What Does South Korea's Health Insurance Cover for English Teachers?

As a native English teacher enrolled in National Health Insurance, you are entitled to a wide range of health services. 

• Primary Care: Visits to general practitioners, small clinics, and family doctors are covered by insurance. You will only pay a small copay after the visit.
• Specialist Consultations: Whether you’re seeing a dermatologist, orthopedist, or gynecologist, your health insurance will help cover most of the consultation fee. However, some specialized treatments may require a higher co-pay but it is still manageable. 
• Emergency Services: Emergency room visits and treatment are also covered by NHIS, though you will still need to pay a portion of the costs. If you need to call 911 and ride in an ambulance, the cost of the ambulance is free. 
• Hospitalization: If you need to be hospitalized for any reason, such as for surgery or treatment of a chronic condition, NHIS will cover a large portion of the hospitalization costs, including room charges and medical treatments.
• Surgery and Treatments: Major surgeries, as well as outpatient treatments such as physiotherapy or acupuncture, are covered, but again, you will pay a portion of the costs.
• Maternity Care: If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, maternity care, including prenatal visits and delivery, is covered under NHIS. However, some private hospitals may charge extra for amenities or services not covered under the standard policy.

Additional Considerations

Language Barrier: While many healthcare facilities in major cities offer English-speaking staff, you may still encounter language barriers, especially in smaller towns or in the countryside. If you're not fluent in Korean, it’s helpful to bring a bilingual friend, your Korean co-teacher, or use translation apps like Papago. 

Private Health Insurance: Some English teachers opt to purchase additional private health insurance for extra coverage, particularly if they want access to more luxurious private hospitals or want to cover preexisting conditions. 

Dental Care: Dental services, including cleanings, fillings, and extractions, are usually covered by the NHIS, however other procedures such as root canals, crowns, implants, or veneers might not be covered fully. 

Conclusion

Going to the doctor in South Korea as an English teacher is straightforward and affordable, especially with the country’s highly-regarded National Health Insurance system. As long as you're enrolled in NHIS, you’ll be covered for most medical services, from routine doctor’s visits to more specialized care. Although there may be a language barrier at times, many medical professionals are fluent in English, making the process smoother for foreign residents. With a little understanding of how the system works, you can easily access the healthcare you need to stay healthy and focused on your teaching duties.